College of Law students give Birmingham school pupils insight into Employment Law

27 May 2009

Birmingham school pupils learnt about employment law and got the chance to sit in on an Employment Tribunal by taking part in a ‘Streetlaw’ project organised by The College of Law Birmingham.

Students from The College of Law, trainee solicitors from law firm Eversheds and students from Great Barr School outside the Employment Tribunal in Birmingham

Students from the College’s centre in Great Hampton Street introduced the Year 12 pupils from Great Barr School, the largest school in the UK, to employment law issues by running a workshop on unfair dismissal cases and involving them in a practical negotiation exercise.

The College students, who are currently undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law, researched the legal issues and planned the session themselves.
The school pupils, aged 16 – 17, were then taken on a visit to the Employment Tribunal in Phoenix House, Newhall Street arranged by trainee solicitors from the law firm Eversheds.

Laura Madhloom, The College of Law’s Streetlaw coordinator said: "The aim of the Streetlaw day was to enable the Great Barr pupils to see the law in action and to find out more about a career in law. At the same time, taking part in Streetlaw enables our students to improve their research and presentation skills. At the heart of Streetlaw is the opportunity to learn through experience and this applies to all involved."

The College’s year-round Streetlaw programme involves students working directly with schools, community groups and prisons to raise awareness about different areas of law, including immigration and asylum, welfare rights, rights on arrest, education law and company law.

The scheme benefits the local community and also enables law students to improve their legal research, communication and client care skills giving them insight into how the law impacts on everyday life.